Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

All Your Heart

I have made a lot of really dumb decisions. I have been so self-reliant. I have been so self-confident. I have been so independent. Apparently I have been so sure that I am always right that others have felt that it would be pointless to tell me anything different. They could all see the coming train wreck of my decisions. They could all see the foolish and crooked path that I was on. Why couldn’t I see what was obvious to others? Why was I so blind to what was in plain sight? Why was I so stupid and headstrong? I would have listened. I would have received wise counsel. I would have made course corrections. Someone should have pointed out to me the error of my ways. Are you being truthful with yourself? What do you mean by that?

Think of someone else in nearly your identical situation. Would they listen to you? Are they willing to listen to anyone else? Would they turn away from their self-reliance to trust me with all their heart? No, I suppose they would not listen. Why is that? We are all so self-reliant. We are all self-sufficient. We are all so independent. We all think that we don’t need anyone or anything. We all have all the answers. Maybe we all need to hit rock bottom before we will cry out to you for help. Isn’t that what has happened to you?

Yes, now I know that I don’t have all the answers. Now, I know better than to rely on my own understanding. Now, I am open to all the guidance and direction you will give to me. Now I will listen attentively to all that you have to say to me. Now, I will seek the wise counsel of all those you have placed in my life. I have forsaken my way. I have given up on my own understanding.

I am acknowledging you as the Savior and Lord of my life. You are in charge. You are on the throne. I am not. You know the future. I do not. You have a purpose and plan for my life. You have a path laid out for me to walk on. I want to know and do your will. I want to follow you to wherever you lead me. I want to do whatever you will ask of me. Only you can take me off the foolish and crooked path that I have been on. Only you can lead me on the straight path that you have laid out for me. Will you trust in me with all your heart rather than leaning on your own understanding? Yes Lord, I am placing all my faith and trust in you.

Lord, I have made so many foolish and unwise decisions because I have leaned on my own understanding. I have been self-reliant rather than trusting in you. I have walked a crooked and foolish path. No more. Guide my life, as I trust in you with all my heart. Amen

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